Newcastle united behind Plymouth Argyle cause

I was in Odessa on the night of April 19th 2010, writes Michael Hudson, and so, like the video, most of what I can remember of the game itself comes from YouTube links.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE3Ov2JhxQY[/tube]

The euphoric, guttural roar from the away end at the final whistle, bodies streaming on to the pitch, players mobbed, Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping blasting out over the Home Park tannoy. Before the game a group of Plymouth fans had unveiled a banner congratulating Newcastle on their promotion.

Now, the club’s PA system belted out ‘Local Hero’ and ‘Blaydon Races’. What made the gestures even more remarkable was the fact that Newcastle’s 2-0 win simultaneously confirmed Plymouth’s relegation. “Fantastic hosts,” goalkeeper Steve Harper said. “They played their parts and it was just a fantastic place to be at the end of the game.” Newcastle fans agreed — “We’ll never forget” was just one of many posts on the Argyle message board the next day.

We haven’t. There are a surprising number of bonds between Newcastle and Plymouth, geographically remote one-club cities with fanatical local support and a history of underachievement. Scottish striker Jack Peddie, whose goals helped Newcastle United to their first ever promotion, later played for Plymouth in their first season as a professional club.

Bobby Moncur, the last Newcastle captain to lift a major trophy, managed Argyle in the early 1980s. John Carver, assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and now Alan Pardew, was on the Home Park staff last year. Dan Gosling made his first Plymouth appearance against Hull City at the age of 16.

Despite the sacking of Chris Hughton and the lack of an adequate replacement for Andy Carroll — whose season in the Championship propelled him from reserve forward to England international — Newcastle have since consolidated their place in the Premier League. For Plymouth, who survived two winding-up orders before they entered administration in the first week of March, the season culminated in a home defeat to Southampton and a second successive relegation.

Around 50 members of staff have been working without salary since January. Despite the Argyle Supporters’ Trust helping to raise money towards a hardship fund, many are now in debt and struggling to afford even the petrol to get them into work.

The video made by Newcastle Fans United nearly didn’t happen at all. Together with FNA Films I first approached Sky TV about footage “for a short 30 second video to try and raise funds for Plymouth Argyle”. They passed us on to another company who, like Sky, said they would be happy to help but didn’t own the rights to the pictures from the game. We were passed on again, explained the situation — and were told we would have to pay £800.

“It’s a short, non-commercial video to help a football club that might go out of business,” we explained. “Our rates are £800 per minute,” was all we received in reply. We tried YouTube, but most of the footage was shaky and blurred. One — from a Newcastle fan who was at the game – was better than the rest. “Can we use your video?” we asked. Ten minutes later we got a reply. “No problem. Anything I can do to help.” Compare and contrast with the (unnamed) TV company.

The video went live last week and will be plugged on Newcastle United blogs and websites. It’s a small gesture but one we hope will remind Plymouth fans that they do not stand alone. I urge all football fans to contribute whatever they can towards helping the Argyle Supporters’ Trust keep their club alive.

The Seventy Two published an outstanding series of articles about the Football League between 2010-12 and was the brainchild of Leicester City fan, David Bevan. As well as collaborating with The Two Unfortunates on the Football League Blog Network and a mammoth 2011-12 season preview, the site featured a host of leading bloggers and David was rewarded with a nomination in the 2011 Football Supporters’ Federation awards. Latterly, he was joined as co-editor by Joe Harrison and TTU is happy to present this archive of the site’s output.

4 Comments

Hogsdom

May 14, 2011

Thank you Geordies, we all respect your club down here ( i’m sure i speak for the majority) and well done on securing another year in the Prem. You deserve to stay there for many a year.

Thank you for your generous support.

I was there that night, it was hard to take, but we couldn’t but respect your fans and there pure elation at getting back where you beblong. Believe it or not we went through the same thing a few weeks ago on bank holiday monday when The Saints went up by beating out beleagered squad, and hence relegated us. 2 seasons on the bounce,!! Another moment of staring at 2500 away fans going mental well we were left to cry on our pasty crumbs! Hey ho.

‘What doesn’t kill you’ and all that.

What i must say is that your fans were far more gracious than the saints.

Credit to David Connoly who had a cracking game for them and broke away form the saints celebrations to walk around the pitch and applaud all the Argyle fans, all on his tod. He is the one member of SOuthhampton FC who retains my respect as things stand, especially as they should know how we feel having been in a sinilar situation not so long ago. How short peoples memories can be.

Anyhow.

Good luck, enjoy the summer and again , Glad you enjoyed your visit to beautiful Devon so much & for this gesture of support. It gives me faith in football. Magnificent.

Nick

Actually, a group of Newcastle fans have already put the idea to the club. Will it happen? I hope so – but I’ve long since given up trying to understand the inner workings of Mike Ashley’s mind. All the best for next season. There are a lot of people up here hoping you bounce back.